SURVIVAL LIGHTING : Part 5 of 6 – Power Charging Devices

Introduction

Once you have purchased your survival light, you need to think about how you are going to power your light. What happens when your batteries are empty? Some survivalists carry an extra battery pack, but what if you forget batteries or get stuck in the wilderness for longer than expected? Basically everything can get worse and worse and you should always expect the unexpected, this is where your survival kit comes in useful.

In this kit, you’ll want to carry extra batteries for your lighting, but you’ll also want to include 3 other useful devices that allow you to charge your battery on the go. The first item on your list is a Solar Charger. As you might have guessed, the solar charger receives its charge from direct sunlight, so you can hang it on your backpack to charge it while you hike. The other two items are a USB battery and a Battery Charger.

These three elements will work together to make sure your flashlight is always ready when you need it. In theory, your solar charger will hook onto your backpack to allow you to charge during the day, so it will ALWAYS be fully charged. Your USB battery, also known as a “power bank”, should be fully charged before you go out thereby ensuring that you can plug your battery charger into the power bank when your batteries need to be recharged.

When your power bank’s charge is depleted, plug it into the solar charger to recharge it. This will ensure that your power bank is ready the next time you need it. While it works in theory, you can also use the solar charger to charge the battery charger with a lot of other things.

We have already discussed Power Banks & Battery chargers in the ‘DEVICES’ section of this website. Consequently, here we shall devote our attention to portable SOLAR ENERGY CHARGERS.

SOLAR ENERGY CHARGERS

Introduction

What is a solar charger?

A solar charger is an ingenious invention that can massively improve the lives of many travelers and outdoor enthusiasts as well as preppers and survivalists.

In a nutshell, a solar charger is a portable, self-contained power source for on the go. There is a solar module on the surface that produces clean electricity when exposed to sunlight.

When the charger is placed in the sun, the photovoltaic panel absorbs the energy emitted by the sun, stores it in its own battery and then transmits it to other small electronic devices such as, for example, a mobile phone. Normally, the connection between the mobile phone and the portable solar charger is via a micro-USB cable. Charging time depends on both the efficiency of the solar panel and its area. The larger the area, the faster the charge.

To use a solar charger you need: of course, sun. In principle, the charger works like the well-known solar systems, with the difference being in dimensioning.

The sunlight that reaches the solar cell is converted into electricity. Then the voltage and current are adjusted to the device that is to be charged.

Thanks to this technology, you are supplied with electricity on the go without needing an electrical socket.

• Solar chargers are the ideal companion for outdoor tours and allow you to charge your end devices using solar energy.
• A basic distinction is made between solar power banks and foldable solar panels, with both variants being available in different sizes and price ranges.
• The area of ​​application or the range of functions determines the technical features that a solar charger should have, the most important properties being size, weight and capacity.

What can be charged with a solar charger ?

There are now a large number of solar chargers, which is why the number of potential devices that can be charged with them has increased. Below is a list of devices that can be charged with a solar charger, for example:

• smartphones and cell phones
• tablets and notebooks
• Music devices such as MP3 players, iPods and speakers
• digital cameras
• navigation devices
• batteries

Trivia: Interesting Facts About Solar Chargers

Do the solar chargers use Quickcharge technology?

This technology is sometimes used in power banks to charge your devices faster because they are supplied with maximum power. The advantage is that power banks have energy storage and do not have to generate the energy first.

Quickcharge CANNOT be used with direct chargers because they are too dependent on the weather or the sun. How fast devices charge depends on the lighting conditions, the better, the faster the end device is supplied with energy

What mistakes should be avoided when using a Solar Charger ?

Similar to those when using a Power Bank, namely (i) Avoiding Extreme Temperatures ; (2) Lock the device after charging ; (3) Do NOT use the device when it is/becomes very warm/hot.

What is a portable solar charger made of ?

A portable solar charger is made up of one or more solar panels. Each solar panel is made up of small photoelectric cells, which are usually made of silicon (the material most suitable for transmitting electrons). One of the main limitations of these solar panels is the small amount of energy they collect at each individual cell

Is the indicated capacity of the solar chargers real ?

Not really. The capacity of a battery is measured in mAh or milliamperes per hour: this translates to the amount of electrical charge that passes through the terminals of a battery when they supply an electric current of 1 milliampere for 1 hour. Although mAh is used as a reference, in practice the actual capacity of a battery is less. It is estimated that the batteries currently on the market achieve an efficiency of 60 to 70% of their theoretical capacity. Factors such as the limited life of the lithium ion cells that make up the portable solar charger as well as the temperature to which these same cells are exposed must also be taken into account.

What alternatives are there to solar chargers?

As an alternative to the solar charger, there are conventional POWER BANKS . These are well suited for a day trip, they are a mobile battery and, depending on their size, can charge your devices such as smartphones a few times. However, if you are away for several days, even the largest power bank will eventually be empty and you will not be able to charge your mobile devices. A solar charger is ideal for this, as you are not dependent on rechargeable batteries or even sockets.

What types of solar chargers are there and which one is right for you?

There are basically two types of solar chargers: with and without energy storage. This is an essential difference, which should be given special attention, since a wrong decision can be very disappointing in an emergency.

What this is and what advantages and disadvantages each offers, we will explain to you shortly.

What distinguishes a solar power bank and what are its advantages and disadvantages ?

In principle, a SOLAR POWER BANK is the same as a conventional power bank, with the difference that it can also be solar charged. The electricity generated is therefore stored in the model and can be called up when required. If you are willing to spend a little more money, you are better off here, as you can be supplied with electricity even on cloudy and/or rainy days.

(+) ADVANTAGES (Solar Power Bank)	(-) DISADVANTAGES (Solar Power Bank)
Energy can be stored: Solar power banks store generated energy in built-in batteries, so you can charge devices even when there’s no sun.	The actual capacity of your power bank will also reduce with time since all batteries have a limited number of charge cycles.
Power banks can be used at any time or at any location irrespective of the sunlight as long as your power bank has some charge left inside it.	Heavier than direct chargers : when you are going with larger power banks which you would carry in your backpack. This is where solar chargers can be a lighter option especially if they are carrying multiple high capacity power banks in your power bank.
Solar Power Banks offer more flexibility.	In general, they are more expensive.

What distinguishes a foldable solar panel charger and what are its advantages and disadvantages ?

The FOLDABLE SOLAR PANEL CHARGER is a direct charger. This means that the moment the electricity is generated, it is also released.

Therefore, they have no storage function for the energy gained. Hence, they are ideal for sunny day activities and excursions when it’s possible for the user to set up and connect his/her device directly and generate a supply of electricity.

(+) ADVANTAGES (Foldable Solar Panel Charger)	(-) DISADVANTAGES (Foldable Solar Panel Charger)
They do not require any particular maintenance, beyond the basic precautions to be observed with small electronic devices, such as not exposing them to temperatures that are too cold or too high	The charge made by a  solar charger is much slower compared to that of a conventional charger, according to the manufacturer’s tests and opinions.
energy is provided directly ; more environmentally friendly since they are using a renewable energy source.	Sunlight energy required ; Solar chargers will not work at night, on a rainy day, or in areas which do not get a lot of sunlight.
Weigh significantly less than solar power banks	No energy storage capability.
Cost less than solar power banks.

Important Purchasing Criteria

The criteria you can use to compare solar chargers include:

• Dimensions & Weight
• High Performance and Correct Tension
• Capacity
• Connections
• Price-performance ratio = Value-for-Money considerations

The video below will explain what is important for EACH criterion thereby helping to make your purchase decision easier.

MP4 Video !

PRODUCT REVIEWS & RECOMMENDATIONS : GROUP #1 – Portable Solar Chargers

PRODUCT REVIEWS & RECOMMENDATIONS : GROUP #2 – Portable Solar Power Banks

Here are 2 Options worthy of serious consideration :

We now move onto the final part i.e. # 6 of this Survival Lighting component by discussing the use of EMERGENCY CANDLES.

Here is the link.

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